SOMERSET — Recreation Department employees on Friday were putting the finishing touches on what will be the town's first man-made ice skating rink.

Some stands were being put around the ice skating rink so parents can watch their children skate, lights were being adjusted so people can skate at night and the 48 foot by 84 foot rink was filled with water that is six inches deep..

"All the children who got skates for Christmas can come out and use them," Playground and Recreation Commission member Richard Silvia said.

The commission was just waiting for the weather to get cold enough to freeze the ice. Mr. Silvia said lights will be on at the rink from about dusk to around 9:15 p.m.

"It will give the townspeople something to enjoy with their children," Mr. Silvia said. "They can enjoy some skating. It's free entertainment for them."

The Recreation Department tried to put up a skating rink late in the winter last year, but the ice never froze over. Starting the project earlier this year should yield better results, Mr. Silvia said.

Mr. Silvia said the Recreation Department may serve hot chocolate for 25 cents a cup one Saturday night at the rink.

Mr. Silvia said a lot of people who were driving by the Pottersville basketball courts were honking their horns last Friday because they were happy the ice skating rink is being put in. He said if the rink is successful this season, the Recreation Department will put in two rinks next year, one for skating and one for hockey.

The Recreation Department purchased the liner from a company that makes liners for ice skating rinks and Recreation Department employees stapled that to wooden boards last Friday.

A few weeks ago, Home Depot volunteers and others put together the frame for the ice skating rink.

Dylan Aspden, who played ice hockey for Somerset Berkley Regional High School, was one of the Recreation Department workers helping to put the rink together last week.

"It gives kids something to do, rather than sitting at home and doing nothing," Mr. Aspden said. "Skating is fun. I think it's a great idea. I think it definitely will get used.".